Amusement apparatus.



1. METZLER. I AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED HIT-16.1917- Patented Apr. 16, 1918' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1041 11 Ma i'z Der;

J. METZLER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED OCT. 16. 1917. 1,263,26.. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q I, 7 john Meizler';

J. IVI-ETZLER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16, 1917.

Fig. 3.

mama! WWW/[W W Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

a? H a? 1 7 I 29 22 1. METZLER. AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- I'Gl I917- 1,263,269. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

//, kiohwMetz Len J. IVIETZLER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED on. 16. 1911.

1,263,269. V Patented Apr. 16, 1918.-

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

JOHN METZLER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSTGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HUGH MQHENRY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Specification ofLetters Patent. Patented Apr. 16, 1918 Application filed October 16, 1917. Serial 1%. 196,786. Y

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN METZLER, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadel- .phia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel amusement apparatus which will be particularly adapted for use in amusement parks or other places Where there arelarge assemblages of persons.

Another object is toconstruct my invention so that it will be operative to permit a great number of persons to ride thereon simultaneously, the movement of the apparatus being such as to produce pleasing and novel sensations to the riders.

A further object is to make my improved amusement apparatus safe, durable, pleasing in appearance and so that it can be operated with a minimum amount of power.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, 1 attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion'of my invention.

Fig. A is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of certain of the elements shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the central portion of the apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section of a portion of the supporting structure with the floor removed.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a pavilion which has a frustro-conieal roof 2 which tapers downwardly from its circumferential edge 3 and'has an opening 4 at its center which is surrounded by a depending flange 5.

A central hollow postor pipe 6 supports the central portion of the, roof 2 and the flange 5 fits within the top of this post as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7 This post 6 connects with a drain pipe 7 so that water falling upon the roof 2 will'run to the center of the roof, thence through the opening 4, post 6, and out through the drain 7 A main floor 8 is provided and-preferably raised a slight distance from the top of the ground level 9 as clearly shown. in Fig. 1.

A row of supporting posts 10 are arranged concentric with the post 6 and serve to support the roof 4 adjacent the edge 3. A second row of posts 11 are arranged concentric with the posts 6 and serve to support the roof? at positions intermediate the posts 10' and the post 6. p 1

A super floor or platform 12 is spaced above the main floor 8 and is in the form of a ring which surrounds the post 6 as clearly shown inFigs. 1 and 2. This floor is unducessed portions 14:. The supporting structure for this super floor 12 is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and consists of two series of beams 15 and 16 which have their upper edge surfaces 17 and 18 respectively undulated or waved as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Radial tie beams 19 serve-as the connections between'the beams 15 and 16 and there-- by provide a rigid support for the super floor 12. A central supporting structure 20 forms a support for an annular ring bearing 21 which is grooved at 22 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7 The groove 22 provides-a" ings 30. -The shaft 29 has a pinion 31 se-' cured thereto and which meshes with a beveled gear 32. This latter gear is secured to a vertical shaft 33 which is mounted in a step bearing 34: on the main floor 8.

The shaft 33 has a pinion 35 which meshes with the gearteethaEZ'Z of the upper ringQ l and thereby rotates this ring under certain conditions as will hereinafter be described.

The ring Qtcarries' a plurality of pairs of lugs 36 and each pair of-these lugs fornr pivotal supports for a pair of bars 37. The

bars of each pair are arranged p'arallehbut' substantially radial to the axis of the post 6, p of the bars 37- suPP' rts a Plate 38 which has a circular edge'39 which blends with an extension 40 in the form of a lip as clearly showndn-Figs; 2, a, andibi Each plate 38 has secured to its bars 37, brackets l1 which form the bearing. for a @shaft 42. upon which is rotat-ably mounted a -wheel: l3; These wheels as are adapted to rideupon a track el l which issupport'cd: by standards as on tlIGIDELHIflOOD'S'. The track 44 1s undulated and has swell portions d6 ,which alternate with recessed portions e7 toform a race for ball bearings 50.. A- disk 51 is grooved at 52 for the reception of the ball bearings 50 and thus a rotatable supportismade for the'disk 51. This dish. 51 has a shaft 53 connected thereto, the lower end. of which is provided with; a beveled gear 54 which meshes with a pinion 55 on the shaft 42.

It will thus' be understoodthat the rotatable movement ofithe wheel 43011 theztrack T l-will impart rotation to the-disk 51 The disk 51 supports standards 56-which form a rocking bearing for a shaft 57. This'shaft 57' forms a; pivotal support for acarriage or seat. 58 whiehrhas ornamental super structure'in the present instance, in-the form-- of mermaids 59:

Each plate 38 has a traclrGO on its upper surface WlllClL is made: concentric with the of theshaft The upper edgesun face: 61 of this track varies in height: with respect to the upper surface of the'plate 38 and in the illustration is 111 the TOT'ln--Ofi a tapered: ring having a low portion 62 and a high portion (3-3.

Each of the carriages 58 forms a support for other shafts 64L: having rollers 65 thereon which. are adapted to engage the surface 61 of the track GOso that upon rotation of the disk 51,- the carriage 58 will be rocked on: the shaft 57 as a pivot as well as to receive the rotary movement which is imparted to the disk" 51'.

The pinion is slidably keyed to the shaft 42 and can be moved out of meslrwith the gear 5fiithlfillgllth6 inediumiof albracket 66 whichissecured to arod 67 mounted=b'elow the plate 38. Thisshaft can be moved longitudinally by means of ahand lever 68'which is pivoted to the plate 38 andihas a slot 69 through-which a pin 70 on the rod 67 projects. The lower end of the bracket exception atfthe: lip 40 where it is interrupted'toprovide apassageway for persons who wish to ride on the apparat'usii Steps v73 are providedat' different. pointswhereby personsmay walk from the: main floor. 8 to the plat-fornr orsuperfloor 12 i it. being: noted that the lips 40 onthe plates 38 always extend above-the top of the' floor 12 but in close proximity thereto. This is clearly shown-iirFigs-z- 1', 3, and l;

turretchamberY e. is provided by posts 75 which are arranged circumferentiallyof the posts 6- and: depend from joist-s 76- which support the roofi 2. These posts: 75 stop short of the mainifloor 8 so. as to-permitthe bars 37 to move thereunder.

Plate mirrors extend between the posts 7 5 and are secured thereto strips 78 as clearly shownin Fig. 10. These mirrors form panels-between the posts 75' and thus provide a closure for t-heturr-et. chamber 74. T preferably provide: a floor. 739. withinthe turret chamber and support the same on the posts 75 and the: central! post 6.. This floor 79- is: mounted above the driving mechanism as clearlyshownlinl igr 1 and is provided With a trap door 80 so that a mancan gainaccess to-the driv-ingmachinery located below.

Another door 81 is provided in. oneof the panels so that a person can gain access to the chamber 741; The joists-7 6 arearrangcd radially with respect to the post (3 and depending ornamental wings 82 are secured to the joists (see Fig; Also other wings 83,- 8 t, and: SS'CTQPBHCL and connect theradial wings- 82. These wings 83, 84.,and are substantially concentric, the wings 84' and 85 extending between 'the respective posts 10 and 11', while: the wing 83depends in front or on the outside of the mirrors 7 7 These wings may be ornamented in any manner desired and provide a pleasing: or namentation' for the ro-ef structure.

The operation of my ap'par-atusis as'follows: v

Power is transmitted through the medium of the-pulley 28 fro n any source. andv this movement is transmittedto the upper ring gear at and causes the latter: to rotate. Since the I plates 38} are 1 pivotally connected to the ring. gear 2st by, means of: the bars 37-, the plates 38 will be caused tO=TOtilt8 around the axis of thepost 6, the Wheels 43 running on the track 44. Since this track is undulated, the plates 38, bars 37, and all the elements supported by said bars '37, will receive an undulated movement corresponding to the contour of the track 44.

The platform 12, having the same undulated construction as the track 44, permits the overhanging lip portions of the plates 38 to always follow in close proximity thereto whether on the swelled portions'or recessed portions of the track 44. This construction, to the occupants of the respective carriages or seats 58, produces a wave-like illusion and affords amusement to the riders.

The rotation of the wheels 43 on the track 44 also imparts a relative rotary movement to the carriages 58 with respect to the plates 38, and the fact that the rollers 65 engage the tapered tracks 60 on the plates 38, causes a rocking movement of the carriages on the shafts 57 as pivots. Thus, the riders receive a combination of four separate movements, namely, the rotary movement with the post 6 as the axis, second, a rising and falling movement imparted by the undulations of the tracks 44, third, the rotary movement with respect to the plates 38, and fourth,

the rocking movement imparted by theirregular or tapered tracks 60 through the medium of the rollers 65 and shafts 57.

If all of these movements combined are too strenuous for the occupants of any particular carriage, it is merely necessary to operate the lever 68 to throw the beveled pinion 55 out of engagement with the beveled gear 54. This will stop the rotary movement of the carriage with respect to its plate 38 and consequently stop the rocking movement of the carriage on the shaft 57 as a pivot.

In order that the bars 37 may be positioned'in close proximity at all times to the bottoms of the mirrors 77 which form the panels for the turret chamber 74, the bottom edges of these mirrors are preferably made of the same contour as the track 44 and platform 12 as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The plates 38 are made sufliciently large to permit standing room around the carriages so that if persons desire to stand still while riding, they may support themselves by the rails 72.

Each pair of bars 37 are connected together by pivotally arranged links 86 which connect the bars betweentheir pivotal connection with the lugs 36 and their free ends. The bars 37 of each pair are connected together by pivotally arranged links 87. Thus, by the connection of the links 86 and 87, the power from the ring gear 24 is evenly distributed and thus relieves strain on the lugs 36 which might otherwise occur if the links 86 and 87 were omitted. I

Furthermore, clips 88 are secured to the ring gear 24 and have bent ends 89 which extend under the ring 21 which forms the bearing for the ring gear 24. Thus, the clips 88 and flange 26 prevent displacement of the ring 24 under operating conditions.

While I have described. my invention as taking a particular form, it will be under stood that the various parts of my inven-" means for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around said axis, and means for imparting an independent rocking and rotatable undulated movement to said car'- riage and operative through the medium of said first rotatable movement of the carriage around the axis, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, means for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around said axis, and an undulated platform surrounding said axis and adjacent which said carriage travels, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, an undulated track surrounding said'axis, a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to receive movement from the undulations thereof,and means for imparting an independent rocking and rotatable undulated movement to said carriage and operative through the medium of said first rotatable movement of the carriage around the axis, substantially as described.

4. In anapparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, an undulated track surrounding said axis, a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to receive movement from the undulations thereof, and an. undulated platform surrounding said axis and adjacent which said carriage travels, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, an undulated track-surrounding said axis, and a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to receive movement from the undulations thereof, rotatable means connected tosaid carriage, a supporting structure forming a rotatable bearing for said latter means, and means. for rotating said; latter means on its. bearing, substantially as described.

6. Inan apparatus of, the character described, a carriage rotatable around. an axis, an undulated track surrounding said axis, and a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to receive movement from the undulations, thereof, rotatable means connected to said carriage, a supporting structure forming a rotatable bearing for said latter means, and means operatively connected to said carriage and wheel whereby a rotation of the latter imparts a rotary movement of said carriage relatively to said supporting structure, substantially as described.

7. I11 an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, anundulated. track surrounding said axis, and a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to: receive-movement from the undula- I tions thereof, rotatable means connected to said carriage, a supporting structure forming a rotatable bearing for said latter means, means operatively connected to said carriage and wheel whereby a rotation of the latter imparts a rotary movement ofsaid carriagerelatively to I said supporting structure, and means for disconnecting said latter means to stop said latter movement of the carriage, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, means for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around said axis, and means for imparting an independent rocking and undulated rotatable movement of said carriage, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, means for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around saidx axis, means for imparting an independent rotatable movement of" said carriage, and means for rocking said carriage independently of said other movements, substantially as: described.

10. In anapparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, means for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around said axis, means for imparting an independent rotatable movement of said carriage, a supporting structure for said carriage and, upon which said carriage is pivotally mounted, a track having portions of varying contour, and means for engagement with said portions and adapted to rock; said carriage on its pivot during the movement of said.- latter rotatable means, substantially as described.

11.. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a carriage rotatable around an axis,

n'lealalS for imparting an undulated movement of said carriage around said axis, means for imparting an independent, rotatable movement of said carriage, a supportstructure for said; carriage and upon which said carriage is pivotally mounted, a track having portions of varying contour, and rollers connected to said carriage and designed to. roll; upon said: track whereby the rotation of; said latter rotatable means imparts a rocking movement to said carriage, substantially as described.

12-. In an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, an undulated: track surrounding said axis, a wheel: movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to; receive movement from the undulations thereof, rotatable means connected to said carriage, a supporting structure forming a rotatable bearing. for said latter means, a shaft connected to said latter means, a gear on said shaft, a, gear operatively connected to said wheel and adapted; to engage said first gear whereby movement is imparted to said latterrotatable means, substantially as described.

1B. In; an apparatus of the character described, a carriage rotatable around an axis, an. undulated track surrounding said axis, and a wheel movable in conjunction with said carriage and adapted to ride on said track to receive movement from the undulations thereof, rotatable means connected to said carriage, a supporting structure forming a rotatable bearing for said latter means, a, shaft connected to-said latter means, a. gear on'said shaft a shaft connected to said wheel, a gear slidably keyed to said latter shaft and adapted to be slid into and out of engagement With said: first gear, and means for sliding said second gear into and out of engagement with said first gear, substantially as. described.

14. In an apparatus of, the character described, a rotatable member, a supporting structure pivotally connected to said rotatable member, a wheel carried by said supporting structure, an undulatedi track upon which the wheel is designed to travel, an undulated platform, a platemounted 011 said supporting structure and adapted to move in close proximity to the undulations of said platform, substantially as. described.

L5. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable member, a supporting structure pivotally connected to said rotatable member, a wheel carried by said supporting structure, an undulated track upon which the wheel is designed. to travel, an undulated platform, a plate-mounted on said supporting structure and adapted to move in close proximity to the undulations of said platform, a track on said plate and having a surface-of varying distances above said plate, a carriage pivotally and rotatably mounted on said supporting structure, and means on said carriage adapted to engage said surface of the track, and means for rotating said carriage whereby the track imparts a rocking movement to the carriage, substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotatable member, a supporting structure pivotally connected to said rotatable member, a Wheel carried by said supporting structure, an undulated track upon which the Wheel is designed to travel, an undulated platform, a plate mounted on said supporting structure and adapted to move in close proximity to the undulations of said platform, atrack on said plate and having a surface of varying distances above said plate, a carriage pivotally and rotatably mounted on said supporting structure, means on said carriage adapted to engage said surface of the track, and means operatively connected to said Wheel for rotating said carriage whereby the track i1nparts a rocking movement to the carriage, substantially as described;

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN METZYLER.

Witnesses:

MARY A. INGLAR, OHAs. E. POTTS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

